What is Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)?

Lumpy Skin Disease Latest News

The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech group company, Biovet, recently announced that its Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) vaccine for dairy cattle and buffaloes, Biolumpivaxin, has received a license from the Central Drug Standards Control Organization (CDSCO).

About Lumpy Skin Disease

• It is an infectious viral disease of cattle and water buffalo.
• Causative Agent: It is caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), which belongs to the genus capripoxvirus, a part of the poxviridae family (smallpox and monkeypox viruses are also a part of the same family). 
• LSDV is not zoonotic, so humans cannot get infected by the virus.
• Originally found in Africa, it has also spread to countries in the Middle East, Asia, and eastern Europe.
• LSD is a highly host-specific disease. It primarily affects cows and to a lesser extent, buffalo.
• Morbidity rate is higher in cattle than buffalo.
• The disease is of economic importance as it can cause a temporary reduction in milk production, temporary or permanent sterility in bulls, damage to hides and, occasionally, death.

Lumpy Skin Disease Transmission

• It is transmitted by blood-feeding insects, such as certain species of flies, mosquitoes, or ticks.
• Infected animals shed the virus through oral and nasal secretions, which may contaminate common feeding and water troughs.
• Thus, the disease can either spread through direct contact with the vectors or through contaminated fodder and water.

Lumpy Skin Disease Symptoms

• The disease is characterized by high fever and enlarged superficial lymph nodes on the skin and peculiar multiple nodules or lumps on the skin. 
• It can also lead to death, especially in animals that have not previously been exposed to the virus or have low immunity.

Lumpy Skin Disease Treatment

• There is no treatment for the virus, so prevention by vaccination is the most effective means of control.
• The infected animals receive supportive care, which involves the use of antibiotics, painkillers, and wound care sprays to treat symptoms.

Lumpy Skin Disease FAQs

Q1. What is lumpy skin disease caused by?

Ans. Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV).

Q2. Can humans catch lumpy skin disease?

Ans. Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV is not zoonotic, so humans cannot get infected by the virus.

Q3. What is the best treatment for lumpy skin?

Ans. There is no treatment for the virus, so prevention by vaccination is the most effective means of control.

Source: DH